College of Education & Social Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate mastery of theory by applying relevant communication theories to internship experiences in 6 graded e-journals and an 8-11 page internship analysis paper.

Students will demonstrate communication competence in the workplace by creating 1-3 audience-appropriate messages for the internship supervisor in a graded portfolio.

Students will demonstrate professional speaking skills by applying relevant communication theories to internship experiences in a 15 minute presentation to communication studies faculty.

Economics

The mission of the Department of Economics at Manchester University is to create a learning environment to prepare students to become professionals and citizens capable of critical thinking and independent analysis. While providing a firm foundation in economic theory, we also place a great emphasis on developing skills, such as critical thinking, that transfer across disciplines and enhance the marketability of our students. Our students are prepared to be successful in graduate school, the private sector, the nonprofit sector, or in a variety of government jobs. Given the rapid changes occurring in our economy, our primary goal is to help the student develop skills that will allow them to successfully adapt to these changes.

apply economic reasoning correctly to assess and understand the behavior of economic actors (individuals, firms, and government agencies) in a variety of contexts and to evaluate the impact of incentives and alternative policy proposals on that behavior

use theoretical models and mathematical tools effectively to represent and analyze social and economic issues or conduct economic research

use data and statistical software effectively to represent economic trends and relationships and to conduct economic research

present economic research and discuss economic concepts in a clear and concise manner in both written and oral formats that are consistent with standards in the economics discipline

Education

The mission statement of the Manchester University Department of Education is to bridge theory and practice, preparing students for professional careers that promote individual well-being, community engagement, and social justice.

Learning Goals: Graduates of our program will

bridge theory and practice by applying their knowledge and skills in semester long internships or student teaching placements

assess learning and development or the effectiveness of organizational programs designed for children, adolescents, and/or adults

establish professional and reciprocal relationships with others invested in the emotional, physical, and cognitive well-being of others with whom they work

create positive and caring environments for the development and academic progress of children, adolescents, and/or adults

reflect on their role in the field of education as a means for bringing about social justice

History

The mission of the history program is to enable students to develop an understanding of historical causation and give them the ability to use a variety of analytical categories such as race, class, and gender in explicating and interpreting the past.The program’s courses emphasize the interrelations of culture, social structure, economic conditions, and political institutions as they cover the ancient to the modern world for both Western and non-Western civilizations.Students are trained to understand fundamental historical events and trends and to develop skills in analysis and original research.It prepares students for graduate or professional studies in a number of fields, as well as for careers in many areas, including education, government, law and business.

Learning Goals: Students who graduate with a major in History will be able to:

Demonstrate critical reading, thinking, and analytical capabilities

Describe historical events from a broad range of historical periods and diverse culture

Seek out and analyze diverse data and cogently organize evidence to support particular conclusions

Formulate and defend a thesis dealing with a specific historical topic in such a way as to demonstrate their grasp of historical causation and critical evaluation of primary source evidence.

Political Science

The mission of the Political Science program at Manchester University is to enable students to comprehend political phenomena across a wide range of contexts. Emphasizing active learning and critical thinking, it exposes students to the assumptions, discourse, methods, and analyses of political science. The program’s courses, projects, and activities aim at promoting civic education, international awareness, and career preparation. Students who graduate with a major in Political Science will be prepared for active citizenship; for professional careers in government, international affairs, non-governmental organizations, business, or journalism; and for postgraduate studies in law, public administration, political science, and other fields.

Learning Goals: Graduates of our program should be able to:

Think, reason, and draw conclusions based on political scientific theories, empirical evidence, and normative reasoning.

Use the discipline’s concepts and methods in understanding, discussing, researching, and analyzing political life.

The Psychology Department uses experiential learning to educate students in the core theories of psychology, research methods, and statistical techniques to enable them to think critically about behavior, lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives, and pursue graduate study, work, and service.

Student Learning Goals for the Psychology Major:

General Knowledge of Psychology – Demonstrate knowledge in the six major areas of psychology as evidenced by scores on the Major Field Test in Psychology in each of the following areas: memory & thinking, sensory & physiology, developmental, clinical & abnormal, social, measurement & methodology:

Acquire knowledge of psychological theories and research through course offerings in the psychology major

Critical Thinking – Think, reason, and draw conclusions after weighing evidence. As a result of courses in Statistics and Research I, II, and III, students will be able to:

Evaluate research

Conduct and present research demonstrating effective use of the scientific method

Present research at regional and national research conferences and professional meetings

As a result of courses in Behavioral Disorders and Social Psychology, students will be able to: Diagnose cases of mental disorders; Examine social problems through multiple lenses

Service-Learning – Participate in service activities that connect psychological concepts to community needs. As a result of completing Introduction to Psychology students will:Participate in service-learning projects in the community and integrate their community experience with psychological theory and principles.

Cross-Cultural/Social – As a result of completing the following travel courses students will be able to analyze the cultural systems that impact different human groups:Cultural and Social Psychology in France and Hawaii

Oral, written, and professional communications - Students completing the psychology major will demonstrate oral, written, and professional communication through: Oral presentations in 100% of psychology courses; Written assignments in 100% of psychology courses; Practicum experience in a professional setting; Development of a vita/resume and personal statement/cover letter or graduate school or job application

Social Work

The Manchester University Social Work Program, a baccalaureate degree program accredited by CSWE, graduates generalist social work professionals of ability and conviction who respect the infinite worth of every individual. Graduates of the program improve the human condition by applying social work knowledge, values, and skills to enhance the well-being of all people, especially those who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty; to alleviate poverty and oppression; and to promote social and economic justice and peace.

Program Goals:

The program’s primary goal is to prepare students for beginning generalist baccalaureate social work practice.

A secondary goal is to prepare students to enter and successfully complete graduate level social work education programs.

Program Core Competencies:

The Social Work Program curriculum is designed to support student achievement of ten Core Competencies, each of which represents measurable practice behaviors comprised of knowledge, values, and skills. In keeping with the program’s mission, goals, and CSWE accreditation standards, graduates of the Manchester University Social Work Program achieve the following competencies:

Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.

Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.

Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.

Engage diversity and difference in practice.

Advance human rights and social and economic justice.

Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.

Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.

Broad goals for the criminal justice major include preparing students to work in a variety of positions in criminal justice, or to attend graduate school in criminology or criminal justice. Students studying criminal justice at Manchester usually have one of five career goals:

Attend law school. There is not one prescribed pre-law curriculum, and criminal justice is one path to follow, especially if the student hopes to focus on criminal law.

Practice law enforcement. Many MU alumni are working in local, state, or Federal policing agencies

Work in probation, parole, or other community-based correctional programs,

Serve in correctional facilities for children and youth or adults, such as jails at the local level, or prisons at the state or Federal level, or

Understanding of the adult and youth justice systems in the United States

Beginning knowledge of substantive and procedural criminal law which applies to adults and to youth, focusing on Indiana and the United States

Understanding of US and global legal authority and structure, from a sociological perspective

Awareness of the law as an evolving organism, which both influences, and is influenced by, socioeconomic and demographic realities, as an impediment or a catalyst for societal change

Celebration of human diversity, sensitivity to possible inequalities in criminal justice, and commitment to working for social justice for all

Practical experience in one or more parts of the criminal justice ‘system’.

Sociology

Sociology Learning Objectives:A Manchester University student graduating with a major in sociology will be able to study, understand, discuss, and apply the following:

The discipline of sociology

explain how it differs from and is similar to the other social sciences

discuss the contributions of sociology to a liberal arts education

apply the sociological imagination to her/his own life

The role of theory

define theory and explain its role in building sociological knowledge

compare and contrast basic theoretical orientations

show how theories reflect the historical and cultural contexts in which they were developed

describe and apply some basic theories and/or theoretical orientations to at least one aspect of society

The role of evidence and qualitative and quantitative methods in sociology

identify major methodological approaches and explain the role of methods in building sociological knowledge

compare and contrast the basic methodological approaches for gathering and analyzing data

design a research study in a chosen area and explain why various decisions were made

critically assess a published report and suggest how the study might have been improved

Basic concepts in sociology

define, give examples, and demonstrate the relevance of these basic concepts: culture, social structure, social institution, status and role, socialization, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change

The relationships between individuals and society

explain sociologically the development of the self and how social factors influence individual behaviors, attitudes and values

explain how individuals, groups and organizations influence society

distinguish sociological approaches to understanding the self from psychological, economic, and other approaches